Knitting machine



P 1943- R. H. COLEMAN ETAL 2,330,269

' KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1941 1.0 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS:

. ATTORNEYS.

2mm ii. (ole/nan 4.;

Sept. 28, 1943.

R. H. COLEMAN ET AL KNITTING MACHINEv Filed Jan. 67, 1941 1oSheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS: Robert ii floleman I WITNESSES:

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T T A Sept. 28, 1943.

R. H. COLEMAN ET AL KNITTING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. '61941 f may p -28,1943. R. H. COLEMAN Em 2,330,

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; ATTORNEY Sept. 28, 1 R. H. COLEMAN ET AL 2,330,269

- KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS.

P 1943- R. H. COLEMAN ET AL 4 2,330,269

KNITTING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 6, 1941 v INVEN'IORS:Robert/1. Coleman q: i BY I (we/111111012,

ATTORNEYS.

p 1943- R. H. COLEMAN ETAL 2,330,269

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1941 1'0 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG. 14 FIG-.11Flam. F1611 INVENTORS:

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A TTORNEYS.

Sept. 1 R. H. COLEMAN ET-AL 2,330,269

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1941 I0 Sheets-Sheet 9 BY 0506121 an);

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P 1943; R. H. COLEMAN ET AL 7 2,330,269

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1941 l0 Sheets-Sheet l0 W l TNESSES; INIZ ENTORS:

' Eoberifl (0167mm 4 Osbezzfi. Ham, Z/MJM; S2 M Patented Sept. 28, 1943UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KNITTING MACHINE Robert H. Coleman and OsbenD. Hunt, Hickory,

N. C., assigu'ors of one-fourth to Ernest Whisnant,

and one-fourth to Clarence L.

Whisnant, both of Hickory, N. C. Application January 6, 1941, Serial No.373,298

' 20 Claims.

This invention relates to knitted fabrics useful for stockings and thelike, in which the ornamentation is formed through wrapping ofcontrasting yarns about variously selected needles of the vseries usedin the knitting in such a manner that the loops drawn from the wrapyarns are overlaid or plated upon those of a main or body yam from whichthe foundation web is cessive courses are anchored by shorter floatsvconnecting corresponding loops in corresponding successive courses inthe intermediate area formed from the first wrap yarn.- ornamentedfabric so characterized is especially advantageous in cnnnection withstockings, since, on the one hapld, it is unnecessary to cut and removeany long floats of the wrap yarns; and, on the other Y hand, in that itprecludes obstructions in which the toe nails would be liable to catchas the stockings are drawn over the feet of the wearer.

Another object of our invention is to make spective wrap yarns by theselected needles to predetermine anchoring of the long floats of onewrap yarn .by shorter floats of another wrap yarn as hereinbeforeexplained.

In connection with a knitting machine of the type referredto, it is afurther object of our in.-

- vention to enable lateral displacement of the carrying spindle for thewrap yarn feed-to withdraw it from action, as for example during theheel and toe knitting phases of the machine, without cessation in itsrotation, and without attendant axial displacement of the associatedrotating wrap yarn bobbin support. This latter objective is attained inpractice as also more fully explained later herein, through provision ofa universal joint connection between the spindle and the bobbin support.

Another aim of our invention is to preclude entanglement of the wrapthreads with the diametral floats of the splicing yarn which is used inreinforcing the high heel (and sole bottom) of the stocking, so that theornamentation can be carried down, through the reinforcement, to the topedge of the heel proper. This objective we realize through provision ofauxiliary means by which the usual yarn severing means of the knittingmachine is actuated to cut each float of thesplicing yarn incident itscreation.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the followingdetailed description of the attached drawings, wherein Fig.1 shows, -in

possible the production of ornamented fabric of w the above character oncircular knitting machines, particularly circular knitting machines' ofthe type disclosed in a co-pending application Serial No. 307,964,filed. by us on December '7, 1939, now Patent No. 2,237,270, wherein thewrap yarns are fed the selected patterning needles by a rotary feedwhich has itsaxissubstantially at right angles to the needle cylinderwhich is driven in unison with the latter. This desideratum we attain,as hereinafter more fully disclosed, through provision of means wherebyintermediate needles in a selected patterning group are advanced beyondthe remaining needles in the cylinder to a greater extent than the endor boundary needles of such group; through suitably arranging in thefeed, guide eyes for the individual wrap yarns at different radialdistances fpom the axis of rotation to correspond with the differentlyprojected needles of the selected patterning group; and throughprovision of means for controlling the knitting of the reside elevation,a circular stocking knitting machine conveniently embodying ourinvention.

Fig. 2 shows the top plan view of the machine. Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryview partly in elevation, and partly in section taken as indicated bythe angled arrows III-III in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section looking asindicated by the angled arrows IV'IV in Fig. 3, and showing the bobbinsup- 1 port of the wrap yarn mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken as indicated by theangled arrows V-,V in Fig. 3. v Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view oftheknitting' I Fig. '7 is a lineal development of the needle circle ofthe machine and the auxiliary controlling cams, looking outward fromwithin the needle cylinder.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view in horizontal section showing how the wrapyarns are manipulated in the machine.

Fig. 9 is a view in lineal development looking as indicated by theangled arrows IX-1X in g 1; 10 is a view corresponding to Fig. 9, withthe needle cylinder and the feed for the wrap yarns slightly furtheradvanced in their rotation during the production of the ornamentation.

Fig. 11 is a view like Fig. 8 with the needles advanced slightly beyondthe position in which they are shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a view in turn like Fig. 10 with the needle cylinder and thefeed still further advanced in their rotation.

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section like Fig. 8 with the needle cylinder andthe feed rotatively advanced beyond the positions shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail view in plan showing how one of the wrapyarns is taken by certain of the patterning needles.

Fig. 15 is a detail view looking as indicated by the angled arrowsXVXVinj Fig. 14.

Figs. 16 and 17 are views like Figs. 14 and 15 showing how others of thewrap yarns are selectively taken by others of the patterning needles.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section taken as indicatedby the angled arrows XVIIIXXVHI in Fig. 1, showing the means providedfor actuating the cutter of the machine to sever the floats of the yarnemployed in reinforcing the high heels and soles of the stockings.

Fig. 19 is a detail sectional view taken as indicated by the angledarrows XIXX[X in Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 shows a short stocking or sock with ornamentation such as may beproduced in accordance with our invention; and b Fig. 21 is a view drawnto a magnified scale and showing the ornamented portion of the stockingfabric within the dot and dash line rectangle XXI in Fig. 20. 4

The knitting machine herein illustrated for convenience of exemplifyingour invention is generally of well known construction, having a needlecylinder I which is'journaled for rotation in an annular bed 2 (Figs;1-3) supported at the top of the machine frame 3. The needle cylinder lis rotated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2 by means of a bevelgear 5 on the main or drive shaft 6 of the machine, which shaft isprovided with the usual tight and loose pulleys I, 8 and 9 respectively(Fig. 2). At .10 in Fig. 1 are comprehensively designated the knittingcams of the machine which may be of the usual construction, and'whichare mounted on a fixed annular plate ll supported at an elevation abovethe bed 2. The needles of the machine are vertically slideable inperipheral grooves of the needle cylinder I as ordinarily, and, duringthe rotation of the cylinder, pass a series of main yarn feed fingersl2-I8 (Figs. 2 and 13) which are mounted for independent pivotalmovement on a transverse axis I9 supported in an upstanding projection20 on the shank 2I of the needle latch guard ring 22. In the presentinstance the finger I3' is employed as shown in Fig. 18 to feed a bodyyarn 23, and the finger I2 for feeding a splicing yarn 24. The needlelatch guard ring 22 is hingedly conected at 25 to a post 26 (Fig. 1)upstanding on the bed II,

so that it, and the parts carried thereby, can be swung upwardly out ofthe way when access is desired or required to the needles from the top.The machine is provided with an intermittentlyrotated cam drum 28 whichcontrols the heel and toe knitting phases of the knitting, and with acam drum 29, which through a plurality of vertical thrust rods such asshown at 30 in Fig. 1, controls the usual main yarn feeds I2--I8, thelast mentioned drum being rotated through gears shown at ill from theshaft 32 of the drum 28. The machine also has a third or auxiliary camdrum 33 which is adapted to be rackedby meansof a pawl 34 operated fromthe main drive shaft 6.

The office of selecting and elevating the needles which are to be usedin the striping is vested.

in mechanism of a well known type comprising a pattern drum 35 which isrotatable about a vertical stud anchored in the bed 2 adjacent theperiphery thereof, said drum being circumferentially slotted andcontaining interchaneable bits, which, through levers (not shown),operate lifting jacks'located in the grooves of the needle cylinder Ibelow the needles. Selected pattern- I ing needles indicated at 36, 31,38,39 and 36a,

31a, 38a, 39a (Figs. 8-16) are shown as being elevated to a level Labove the remaining needles at a point in advance of the loop drawingregion D (Figs. 7, 9-11) in the direction of cylinder rotation. Byspecial auxiliary means later on described, the patterningheedles 38,33a are elevated to a level L somewhat above the level L.

Mounted on the latch guard ring 22 (Figs. 1-3) is a yoked bracket 40which alfords bearing 4| for a short vertical shaft 42 in coaxialrelation with the needle cylinder I and above it. A bevel gear 43 at theupper end of the shaft 42 meshes with a bevel pinion 44 at the inner endof a horizontal shaft 45 which is 'journaled in another bearing 46 onthe bracket 40. A bevel gear 41 at the outer end of the horizontal shaft45 meshes in turn with a bevel pinion 48 at the top of a vertical shaft49 which extends con- 0 tlnuously downward through a fixed post 50,

through the plate II, through a spacing post 5| between said plateandthe bed 2, and through said bed I. At its lower end the shaft 49carries abevel pinion 52 which is driven by a bevel gear 53 on the maindrive shaft 6 of the machine. Through the gear connections justdescribed the vertical shaft 42 is driven in unison with the needlecylinder I,

Stationarily supported within the top of the needle cylinder I is ahorizontal plate 55 whereof the upstanding axial boss 56 (Figs. 3, 18,and 19) is fixedly secured to the lower end of the hearing and thebracket 40 on the latch guard ring 22. Mounted on the plate 55 isthethread binding and severing mechanism of the machine, said mechanismincluding a clamp member 51 which is pivoted on a horizontal stud 58projecting from the boss 56, and which is subject to the influence of adepressing torsion spring 59; and a cutter, the fixed blade 60 of whichis secured to an edge of said plate, and the movable blade SI of whichis pivoted on a screw stud G2 projecting laterally from the fixed blade.A spring 63 tends to move the blade 6| to closed position. Alsosupported by the plate 55 is'a thread deflector 54 and an auxiliaryclamp spring 65. of the group I2l8-e. g. the splicing yarn feed I2islifted out of operation, the idled yarn 24 is deflected downward by thedeflector 64, drawn beneath the main and auxiliary clamps 51 and When ayarn feed cutter in the usual manner as shown in Fig. 18.

During ordinary interchange of the main yarns, the cutter and the binderare actuated by meansincluding a lever 68 fulcrumed medially on thelatch ring 22 and adapted to be operated by one of the thrust rods 30from the cam drum 29.

v In the event of the" breakage of a butt of any of the needles, themachine is automatically stopped through the instrumentality of a,finger 61 (Figs. 1 and 2) at the top of a vertical stud shaft 68journaled in the plate II. Secured to the stud shaft 68 directly abovethe plate II 'is an arm 69 having a lateral projection I on its hubportion which is normally held in engagement with a stop II by theaction of a spring I2 to keep the finger 61 positioned as shown in Fig.2. Pendant from the arm 69 is an adjustable extension-l3 which lies inthe path of the cam end 14 of an arm fulcrumed at I6 to the under sideof the plate II. By means of a horizontal rod TI, the arm 15 is coupledwith a-bell crank latch member I8 forming a part of' the usual stopmeans of th machine comprehensively designated by the numeral I9 in Fig.2. I

The wrap yarn feed mechanism with which the present invention is moreespecially con-- cerned is comprehensively designated by the numeral 80in Figs. 1, 2, 3 of the drawings, and includes a horizontal spindle 8|whereof the axis lies in a vertical plane approximately sixty degrees inadvance of the main yarn feeds .I2-I6 as considered with regard to thedirection of cylinder rotation, see Fig. 2. By means presently.

described, the spindle BI i rotated in the direction of the arrows inFigs. 9-11 in unison with the needle cylinder 5, and at its inner endcarries a small feed in the form of a discoid head 82 with a pluralityof annularly-arranged guide eyes 83-86 and 83a86a (the respective groupof which are symmetrically arranged with respect to the diameter A-B inFig. 9) for as many individual wrap threads 87-90 and fill-90a. Asshown, the eyes 83-436 and 83a86a are. circumferentially spaced tocorrespond in position with the needles 3639 and 36a-39a selected forwrap striping at different points around the needle cylinder I. When inactive position the spindle 8| is inclined somewhat downwardly towardthe needle cylinder I as shown in Fig. 3 with the edge of the disc 82somewhat below-and closely contiguously to the hook of the needles.Bearing against the front face of the disc 82 is 3. diametral or crossplate 9| whereof the edges are rounded toward the face of said plate fora purpose presently explained. As shown, the cross plate 9| carries theguides 85, 85a which are spaced at a lesser radial distance from thespindle axis than the remaining guide eyes so as to feed their yarnsonly to the wrap needles 38, 3811 which are elevated to the level L inFig. 9.

The disc 82 and the cross plate 9| are secured to the end of the spindle8I by a headed clamp screw 9la whereof the shank threadedly engagesaxially into said spindle. By virtue of thi arlournaled in astatlonarybearing 95. As shown, the axis of the sleeve 94 and its bearing 95 isslightly inclined to the horizontal to a degree corresponding to. thenormal disposition of the spindle axis. Relative rotation between thespindle 8| and the sleeve 92 i 'prevented through needle cylinder axisdetermined by engagement of a threaded stop nut 98 (Fig. 3) at the outerend thereof with the corresponding end of said sleeve. The bearing 95 issupported with capacity for up and down adjustment by means ofa post 99having oppositely pitched threads at it upper and lower ends, the upp rthread eng ing into a pendant boss I00 on said bearing, and the lowerthread engaging in an upstanding boss IOI.on .a supplemental platebracket I02 suitably secured to the framework of the machine. Thebearing 95 is held against accidental displacement in adjusted positionby means of clamp nuts |03I0.4 which respectively engage the threads ofthe stem 99, and which jam against the bottom of the boss I00 on thebearing and against the top of the boss IN on the supplemental plateI02. To the inner protruding end of the large sleeve 94 is aflixed abevel gear I05 which meshes with a bevel pinion I06 whereof the front isaxially socketed for rotative support by a lateral boss projection I0'Iat one side of the bearing 95, see Fig. 2. As shown, the bevel pinionI06 has a rearward axial shaft prolongation I08, whereto is secured asprocket pinion I09, said shaft prolongation beconnected to a similarsprocket pinion H3 on a rangement, it will be seen that the feed disc 82Y friction fit in a sleeve 92 (Fig. 3) which is sup-' ported throughauniversal joint connection 93,

(Figs. 8 and 5) axially within a larger sleeve 84 horizontal shaft II 4freely journaled in radial relation to the upright shaft 49 in a bearing5. This bearing I I5 is provided by a lateral arm I I 6 on the post 50,and for the sake of greater rigidity, said arm I I6 is connected tothebearing arm III by a tie bar III, see Fig. 2. A bevel gear II8attached to the sprocket H3 is driven as a consequence of having meshingengagement with a bevel pinion II9 (Fig. 3) on the vertical shaft 49immediately below the pinion 48 hereinbefore referred to. Theproportioning of the drive elements just described is such as topredetermine rotation of the spindle 8I in unison with the needlecylinder I.

In order that the spindle BI may be swung to the position shown in dotand dash lines in Fig. 3

during the knitting of the heel and toe pockets,

Guided for vertical sliding movement in an inwardly projecting lateralarm I20 on the shank portion I00 of the bearing is a slide rod I2I withan oifset extension I22 at its lower end between which and the bottom ofthe arm a compression spring I23 is interposed. By this spring, the rodI2I is normally maintained in lowered position with a stop collar I25thereon abutting the top of the arm I20. At its upper end, the rod I2Iis formed with an annulus I24 whereof the opening is amply large toaccommodate a collar I21 which has horizontal trunnions I20 enga ingbearing openings in said annulus. Loosely fitting within the ring I2! isa collar I29 which is secured to the inner end of the sleeve 92.Medially fulcrumed upon a stud I30 on an upwardly projecting lug I3I ofthe supplemental plate I02- is a lever I32 whereof one end underreachesthe offset I22 at the lower end of the pin I2I, while the other end isapertured for passage therethrough of a drop rod I33 whereof the upperend is threaded to receive an adjustable nut head I35 which bears on thetop of the lever. At its lower end (see Fig. 1) the rod I33 is pivotallyconnected to an angular lever I36 fulcrumed at I31 on the machine frame3. This angular lever I36 has a bevel nose end I38 arranged to beactuated by a cam edge I39 on the drum 28. When the lever I36 is thusactuated, it will be seen that through the connections just described,the slide rod I2I will be moved upward against the compression of thespring I23 to shift the spindle 8| to its inoperative position shown indot and dash lines in Fig. 3. Still referring to Fig. 3, at its outerend the sleeve 94 carries a circular plate I40 which constitutes thecarrier for bobbins I4I from which the different wrap yarns 8190 and81a-90a are supplied. As shown in Fig. 4, the bobbins I4I are annularlyarranged near the periphery of the plate I40 and suitably supported bypins I42 anchored in said plate. Mounted in coaxial relation to theplate I40 at a distance therefrom is an annular companion plate I43which has guide apertures I45 in line with the bobbin axes for directingthe respective wrap yarns. Secured to the plate I43 inward of theapertures I45 in radial alignment with the latter are individuallyregulatable tensions I46 by which drag is imposed upon the wrap yarns.After emerging from the tensions I46, the wrap yarns pass through a ringI41 at the outer end of the spindle sleeve 92, and from thence to eyesI48 at the free ends of individual take-up levers I49 which arefulcrumed on lugs I50 secured to the outer side of the bobbin carrierplate I40. The yarn tensions I49 are subject individually to tensionsprings II which tend to swing them away from the axis of the spindle 8|as shown in Fig. 3 for capacity to takeup the slack in the wrap yarns.From the eyes I48 of the take-ups I49, the wrap yarns pass throughindividual tubes I52 set into the sleeve 94, and after emerging from theinner ends of said tubes pass first through eyes I53 in the head I29 onthe sleeve 92 and finally to the corresponding guide eyes in the disc 82at the inner end of the spindle. As shown, each bobbin MI is protectedin a transparent cylindric tube I54 composed of telescoping componentswhich are shiftable relatively to enable replacements to be readily madewhen necessary.

For the purpose of elevating the striping needles 39, 40 and 39a, 40afrom the level L to the level L' we utilize a radially shiftableelevating cam I55, which see Fig. 6, is carried by a slide I56 on aguide I51 mounted on the top of the bed 2, and which is arranged to actupon butts on special needle elevating jacks J (Fig. 7) in the cylinderI below the needles 39, 39a (the jacks, not illustrated, for all otherneedles being devoid of such butts). During knitting of heel and toepockets, the cam I55 is retracted by a lever I58 fulcrumed at I59 on thebed 2 and controlled by a cam finger I60 actuated from the cam drum 20.The needles 39 and 39a, differ from the other needles in that they havelong butts (illustrated as open rectangles in Figs. '1 be engaged by aspecial cam I6I radially slideable in a bracket I62 on the plate II.Through the medium of the cam I6I the needles 39 and 39a, 40a afterhaving taken the wrap stripe threads 89 and 89a are depressed to thelevel L of the other striping needles in a manner which and adapted towill be readily understood from Fig. 7. Like the cam I55 the depressingcam [BI is withdrawn from action under the control of the pattern drumthrough the medium of a bell crank arm I63 which acts upon a cam fingerI64 pivoted at I65 on the plate II, the opposite end of said fingerengaging the rear end of the shank of said cam I6I which shank ispressed outward by a spring concealed in the bracket I62. From Figs. 8and 13 it will be observed that in accordance with my invention theplate 55 is'provided with a bight I10 down through which the wrap yarnspass and within which said yarns are confined and prevented fromentering the yarn clamp andcutter. As shown, the bight I10 is so shapedas to define a finger I1I.

A further feature of our invention is the provision on the hub of thebevel gear wheel 43 (see Figs. 3 and 14) of the cam edge I12 which actsupon a vertical plunger pin I13 guided in an opening in the bracket 40.At its lower end, the plunger pin I13 bears on the operating end of themovable cutter blade 6| of the yarn severing mechanism. Thus during eachrotation of the needle cylinder, the cutter blade BI is actuated. Thepurpose of this provision is to affect the cutting of the float portionof the splicing yarn used to reinforce the high-heels of the stockingsas shown in Fig. 13. The timing of the cam I12 is such that these floatthreads are cut at the center as shown in Fig. 13 whereby entanglementof the wrap yarns with the float is prevented.

We have also provided for the automatic stopping of the machine in theevent of breakage of any of the wrap stripe yarns. This provisionincludes (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4) a lever I15 which is pivoted medially ofits ends on a stud carrier I16 by a small angle bracket I11 attached tothe bearing boss I00. The outer end of this lever I15 carries anadjustable finger I18 which, when the take-up finger I49 released by abroken wrap yarn is engaged by such take-up finger as the bobbin carrierI40 revolves. The movement induced in the lever I15 under theseconditions is communicated, through a Bowden wire I19 connected at itsrear end to the bell crank lever 18 of the automatic stop mechanism 19,with resultant stoppage of the machine in the usual way.

Assum ng the needle cylinder I to be rotating in the direction ofthearrow in Fig. 7 with the mam feed I3 in action and supplying the bodyyarn 23 to all the needles in the formation of the leg portion of astocking or sock such as shown in Fig. 20, the operation of the machineis as follows: During each rotation of the needle cylinder I, thepatterning needles 36-39 and 36a.- 39a selected under the control of thepattern drum 35 are successively elevated to the level L in Fig. 9 wellabove the remaining needles before they reach the wrap yarn feed disc82. Upon engagement of the butts 7' of special acks J b neath thepatterning needles 38, 38?: with Hie cam I55 as instanced in Fig. 7,said needles are elevated to a higher level L above the patternmgneedles 31. Due to the circumferential spacing and relative location ofthe guide holes 83-86 and 83a86a in the feed disc 82 (which, aspreviously pointed out, rotates in unison with the a needle cylinder inthe direction indicated b arrow thereon in Fig. '7) said holes are sunsively reached by the needles 3639, and 36a, 39a. In Fig. 9, the wrapyarn 81 has already been taken by the leading one of the two needles 36,and during continued rotation of the cylinder 4 point of anchorage saidyarn will, as a matter of course, be wrapped about both said needles,with said yarn exten'dv ing in a straight line or chord C between themas shown in Fig. 14, said chord lying rearward of the centers of therounded hook tops of the two interposed regular needles I80.Consequently, as the needles 36 are retracted by the regular knittingcams at the loop drawing point D in Fig. 7, the chord C will fall to therear of the interposed needles I80. Repetition of this procedure insuccessive courses of the knitting results in the formation of a doublestripe such as shown at SS in Fig. 20, in which the chords ,C of theyarn 81 are floated at the inside of the fabric between the stripewales. Again referring to Fig. 9, it will be seen that the eye 84 hasreached a position in which the wrap yarn 88 is about to be taken by thefirst of the patterning needles 31; while the eye 85 (which is closer tothe axis of the spindle 8 I) has reached a position in which the wrapyarn 89 is about to be taken by the first of the higher patterningneedles 38. With continued concurrent rotation of the needle cylinder Iand the disc 82' through the positions of Figs. 10 and 11 to theposition of Fig. 12, the yarns 88 and 89 will also be taken respectivelyby the second needles of the pairs 37 and 38. As a consequence of thelateral spacing of the eyes 84 and 85 in the direction of the axis ofthe feed spindle 8!, by reason of the intervention of the thickness ofthe plate 9|, it will be seen from Fig. 11 that, through change in 'theangularity of the threads 88 and 89 as the needle cylinder rotates, thethread 89 will fall bebind the second of the patterning needles 3'! andwill therefore not be taken by the latter needle, whereas the thread 88will be taken by said second needle 31. In this connection it is to benoted that if the needles 38 should be bent outwardly as in Fig. 3,their hooks will readily pass over the rounded edges andacross the faceof the supplemental plate 9! on the wrap feed disc 82 and be thussafe-guarded against the possibility of breakage. As the needle cylindercontinues in its rotation, the yarns 88 and 89 will be wrappedrespectively about the second needles of the groups 31 and 38 as shownin, Fig. 12.

Here, as in the formation of the stripes S, the yarn 88 will extend as achord 0' between the spaced needles 37, and will thus fall behind theneedles 38 as well as behind the intervening regular needles I81 as willbe readily understood from Figs. 16 and 17. From this action thereresult clock stripes S'., S2 (Figs. 20 and 21) in which the floats C ofthe yarn 88 cross the inner stripe wales S2 at the back of the fabricand floats C2 of the yarn 89 similarly extend crosswise of the flankingstripe wales, with plain wales a of the latter yarn intervening.Attention is directed to the fact that incident to the feeding of theyarns 88 and 89 in Figs. 9-12, the portion of the yarn 89 extending fromthe point of its anchorage in the fabric at the knitting level to thefront of the needles 38 will be crossed over the portion of the yarn 88extending from its in the fabric at the knitting level to the first ofthe needles 31, so that in the completed fabric, the floats C of theyarn 88 are tied in or anchored by the shorter floats C2 of the yarn 89as shown in Fig. 21. In this way we avoid catches which would resistready entry of the toes into the stocking as the latter are drawn overthe wearer's feet. The same procedure takes place as regards the feedingof the wrap yarns 810-98 to the needles 36c'-39a to form correspondingwrap stripe effects at the opposite side of the stocking. Thus in theclocks, the wrap stripes of the yarn 89 lie within the field bounded bythe wrap stripes of the yarn 88. Eventually, as the needle cylinder andthe disc 82 continue further in their synchronous rotations, the yarn 90extending from the feed eye 85 of said disc will be taken by the spacedneedles 39 with resultant formation of another double stripe S3 in thestocking of Fig. 20. Throughout the knitting, the wrap yarns extend downthrough the bight in the plate 55 so as to be kept out of the way of thecutting and binding mechanism of the machine. During the reinforcing ofthe high heel portion H of the stocking, thestripes S3 are continueddown to the top of the heel packet H. This is made possible throughprovision of the auxiliary means shown in Figs. 18 and 19, for actuatingthe severing element 6l of the yarn cutting mechanism by which thefloats of the splicing yarn 24 are cut to prevent interference andentanglement with the wrap yarns. The splice yarn cutting action alsotakes place during reinforcement of the foot bottom during which time,the stripes S-S only are continued through the instep. At the beginningof the heel pocket, the wrap feed spindle 8! is automatically lifted to.the dot and dash line posi-' tion .in which it is shown in Fig. 3 toWithdraw the disc 82 from feeding position, under the control of the camdrum 28. At the completion of the heel pocket, the spindle isautomatically restored to its normal full line position, likewise undercontrol of the cam drum 28. When access is required to the top of theneedle cyliiider, the wrap feed spindle 84 is first lifted and thendrawn outward of the friction sleeve 92by grasping the head 98 at itsrear end, to

the position shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 2, whereupon the latchguard ring 22 may be swung up and out of the way about its-pivot 25 asordinarily.-

. By proper selection as between the needles employed for wrappingpurposes, the clocks at the sides of the stocking may be provided at thetop with arrow heads as shown at I83 in Fig. 20, and at the bottom withtails I84 extending partway into the instep of the stocking. 'Thdescribed ornamentation is, of course, to be considered as exemplary ofother designs which may be produced in the machine by suitable arrange-,ment of the patterning bits in the patterning drum 35. Other variationsin the patterning may be had by changing the allocation of the feed eyesin the disc 82, or by increasing the number of such eyes and elevatingneedles for P tte at corresponding points around the needle cylinder.

In any event, it will be apparent from the foregoing that through ourinvention it is possible to produce a field of one color which issurrounded by, or enclosed within, th field of another color, with wrapstriping mechanism in which the spindle is arranged at right angles tothe axis of the needle cylinder or substantially Having thus describedour invention, we claim:

1. In a knitting machine having a rotating needle cylinder, means forselecting a group ofsupported adjacent the needles on an axis at rightangles to the needle cylinder and having two guide eyes for individualwrap yarns; ancl means determining knitting of one of the yarns only byan intermediate needle of the selected group and the other yarn only bythe outer needles of said selected group.

2. A knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein said head isexternal to the needle circle.

3. In a knitting machine having a rotatin needle cylinder, means forselecting a group of predetermined needles and projecting intermediateneedles of such group beyond the remaining needles in the cylinder andthe outer needles of said group to a lesser extent; wrap yarn feedingmeans including ahead supported adjacent the needles with its axissubstantially at right angles to the needle cylinder and driven inunison with the latter, said head having two eyes for individual wrapyarns at difierent distances from its rotative axis for feeding theiryarns respectively to the differently projected needles of the selectedgroup; and means determining knitting of said wrap yarns only by theselected needles to which they are respectively fed.

4. In a knitting machine having a. rotating needle cylinder, means forprojecting predetermined selected needles at spaced points in thecylinder to diiferent extents relative to the remaining needles; andwrap yarn feeding means including a head which revolves in unison withthe cylinder about an axis at right angles to the latter and which hasguide eyes annularly arranged and differently distanced from the headaxis so as to feed individual wrap yarns respectively to the selectedneedles differently projected as aforesaid.

5. A knitting machine according to claim 4, wherein the wrap yarn feedhead is external to the circl of needles.

6. In a knitting machine having a rotating needle cylinder, a bobbinsupport for wrap yains revolving about a positionally fixed axis; .aguide head for the wrap yarns; a spindle with its axis normally insubstantial alignment with the axis of the bobbin support and carryingthe guide in. feeding relation to the needles; and means for rotatingthe spindle with capacity for lateral displacement relative to the axisof the bobbin support to withdraw the guide from feeding position.

7. In a knitting machine having a rotating needle cylinder a bobbinsupport for wrap yarns revolving about a positionally fixed axis; .aguide for the wrap yarns; a spindle with its axis normally insubstantial alignment with the axis of the bobbin support and carryingthe guide in feeding relation to the needles; and driv means connectingthe spindle to the bobbin support with capacity for'allowing saidspindle to be displaced laterally to withdraw th' guide from feedingposition;

8. In a knitting machine ha needle cylinder, 9. bobbin support or wrapyarns revolving about a stationarily pported axis; a feed for the wrapyarns; a sp e normally coaxial with the bobbin support and carrying thefeed in feeding relation to the needles; and means for rotating thespindle with capacity for allowing said spindle to be displacedlaterally to withdraw the feed from feeding position.

9. A knitting machine according to claim 8, including means for rotatingthe bobbin support and the wrap feed spindle in unison with the'needlecylinder.

10. A knitting machine according to claim 8, wherein the wrap feedspindle rotating means is in the form of a universal joint connectionwith the bobbin support.

11. A knitting machine according to claim 8, wherein the bobbin supportis mounted on a sleeve which rotates in a stationary bearing; andwherein the wrap feed spindle rotating means is in the form of auniversal joint connection with the sleeve.

12. A knitting machine according to claim 8, wherein the axis of thebobbin support is substantially at right angles to the needle cylinder.

13. A knitting machine according to claim 8. wherein the axis of thebobbin support is sub stantially at right angles to the needle cylinder;and wherein said support and said feed spindle are external to theneedle cylinder.

14. A knitting machine according to claim 8,

for producing seamless stockings with wrap yarn ornamentation, includinginterchangeable main yam feeds, a rotatable cam drum for controlling theformation of heel and toe pockets, and a. second rotatable cem drum forcontrolling the main yarn feeds; and wherein means actuated from saidsecond cam drum displaces the spindle of the wrap yarn feed to preventfeeding of the wrap yarns during formation of the heel and toe pockets.

16. In a knitting machine having a rotating needle cylinder, drive meanstherefor, and automatic stop means, wrap yarn mechanism including arotating feed head with guide eyes for the wrap yarns, a rotatingsupport for wrap yarn bobbins, and individual spring-influenced take-upfingers for controlling the wrap yarns; an element adjacent the bobbinsupport adapted to be engaged and operated by any one of the take-upfingers in the event of rupture of the corresponding wrap yarn; and aconnection between said element and the automatic stop means wherebyupon such yarn rupture. said stop means is actuated to stop the machine.

17. A knitting machine according to claim 3,

. in which the two guide eyes lie in different planes spaced. in thedirection of the rotative axis of the head.

18. In a knitting machine. having a rotating needle cylinder, means forselecting a group of predetermined needles and projecting intermediateneedles of such group beyond the remaining, needles in the cylinder andthe outer needles of said group to a lesser extent; wrap yarn feedingmeans including a head supported adjacent the needles with its axissubstantially at right angles to the needle cylinder and driven inunison with the latter, said head comprising two components respectivelyhaving eyes for individual wrap yarns at different distances from therotative axis of the head for feeding their yarns respectively to thedifferently projected in which the two guide eyes lie in differentplanes spaced in the direction of the head axis.

20. In a circular knitting machine of the type having a rotating needlecylinder, drive means therefor, a rotary wrap yam feeding means andautomatic stop means; in combination therewith a. rotating support forwrap yarn bobbins, individual spring-influenced take-up fingers forcontrolling the wrap yams, an element so posi-

